68 THE entomologist's recoed. 



1 ? ; November 10th, 1 $ . All three specimens taken at rest on 

 birch-trunks, and, being in very fine condition, it is probable that they 

 had emerged from the pupte but a very short time previously, and had 

 never flown. Both this species and A', dilntata are to be taken in this 

 locality, and, possibly, if well worked for, it would be found that 

 tJ. autumnata is not uncommon, as the three examples mentioned were 

 selected (on account of their being so beautifully fresh) from several 

 specimens, which were considered at the time to be E. dilntata, but which 

 were most likely, in some cases at least, true E. autumnata.'" In case 

 any readers have not followed the history of the re-discovery of this 

 long-overlooked species, I may add that it differs from E. dilutata in 

 the structure of the 3- antennae and genitalia, in the more glossy 

 wings, usually sharper-marked, but being even more variable ; also it is 

 abundantly distinct in the egg and larval stages. — Louis B. Prout. 

 Jannary 8th, 1908. 



A DARK FUSCOUS ABERRATION OF EnNOMOS AUTUMNARIA. Mr. 



Newman of Bexley, has bred some most interesting aberrations of this 

 species, together with the type, from an East Kent locality. In the 

 female the wings are unicolorous dark fuscous with the exceptions of the 

 extreme base which with the thorax is yellow as in the type, and the body 

 entirely black except the dorsal portion, which is slightly marked with 

 yellow. The male only differs in markings from the female by having 

 a yellow fringe. — V. Eric Shaw, Bexley, Kent. November lAth, 1907. 

 Variation in Melit^ea aurinia and Drymonia chaonia. — At the 

 meeting of the Entomological Society of London, held on February 

 5th, 1908, exhibited — (a) A long series of Melitaea aurinia bred 

 from ova from West Meath parents, the ? parents being very rich 

 dark forms; the offspring followed the ? parents to a great extent, being- 

 rich dark forms, a small percentage being, however, somewhat lighter in 

 ground colour { = hibernica, Birchall). (b) A series of ? s from East 

 Kent of the usual Kentish form, the specimens showing a wide range 

 of variation ; owing to the great lack of sunshine in May, 1907, the 

 pupal stage lasted four weeks instead of ten days or so, and a large 

 percentage died in the pupal stage, (c) A series bred from a S. Devon 

 typical $ ; these were very ordinary forms and a very large percentage of 

 deaths in the pupal stage owing to cold and lack of sunshine, {d) A series 

 from S. Wales, wild collected larvae; received full-fed at end of March, 

 and, being abnormally early, emerged very well, as all were out before 

 the bad weather started ; very little variation disclosed, (e) A series 

 from Carlisle, wild collected larvse ; these larvte were fearfully para- 

 sitised, over 75% being stung and a very short series was bred, giving 

 no idea of the range of variation. (,/') A series from Isle of Wight, 

 wild collected larvae ; unlike the Carlisle larvae, not one of these was 

 parasitised, and were very forward, being three-quarters fed when 

 received at the end of March ; all emerged well, but the^quantity at disposal 

 being small, most were spoilt in obtaining pairings and ova. {[/) A 

 long series of Drymonia chaonia bred from ova from Perth parents, both 

 of the typical dark brown form ; the series showed a great range of 

 variation, a good percentage following the parents ; a large percentage 

 of intermediate forms, and about 16% with the white band on fore- 

 wings well defined, (h) A series from New Forest parents, this form 

 showed a strong contrast with the Perth race, the ground colour being 

 much whiter and the white on forewings very pronounced, bringing 

 out the lunar spot very conspicuously, {i) A series from a pairing 



